Head Into Cold Weather Tips

When we decide to make our health a priority a few things come to mind - get active, eat better, drink more water. Sometimes though, doing all 3 of these things at the same time becomes a challenge during the winter months. It’s cold out, there’s ice, it’s windy. Favorite holiday dishes are what we’ve been looking forward to all year and well water is just bleh, right?

Well, here are a few tips to getting and staying healthy during our cold weather months:

• Take advantage of the cold and program your thermostat for the optimal sleeping temperature at night of 67°F. Not to mention, save some bucks on your heating bill. Being well rested improves clarity in thinking, elevates moods and helps keep our cortisol levels (a stress hormone) low.

• Consider eating more soups for meals throughout the week to up your protein and vegetable intake. An InstaPot is perfect for a quick fix after work or use a slow cooker to set it and forget it while you are at work. If you go the slow cooker route, I like to prep the ceramic pot the night before and put it in the fridge, then the next morning while I’m making my coffee, I’ll throw that bad boy on for a slow cook.

• Whether we like water or not, hydration is an important component to overall health. The water in our body moistens and protects tissues and organs, helps prevent constipation, assists with dissolving minerals and other nutrients, regulates body temperature and carries nutrients and oxygen to our cells. Water also lubricates joints and decreases the burden on both our kidneys and liver by flushing out harmful toxins. Don’t like the way water tastes (even though it doesn’t taste like anything) instead of adding those powders or squirt packets off the shelf at the supermarket, consider essential oils or tea for their added benefits. Both essential oils and teas can help improve digestion and lymphatic drainage, lift our mood and strengthen our immune system just to name a few. Plus, a nice hot beverage will help keep us warm and toasty.